G.A.R marks 150 anniversary, recalls ‘kindred spirits’
As a rainbow forms over the Monongahela River, Darlene Alcorn is escorted to the waters’ edge by Knap’s Battery reenactors Mike Woodburn (left) and Curt Sprowls, where Alcorn placed flowers on the water to remember all who served during the Civil War.
Civil War reenactor (from left) Yankee Drummer Jim Smith, with members of Knap’s Battery Bill Mickulicz, Jim Sims, Mike Woodburn, Ron Boone and Curt Sprowls, stands at attention during the Grand Army of the Republic commemoration ceremony Wednesday at the Aquatorium in Monongahela.
Stark weather Ladies Circle, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) members (from left) Shirley Dines, Darlene Alcorn and Dorothy Frye Walker led that G.A.R. commemoration ceremony Wednesday at the Aquatotium in Monongahela.
Lee Hemmings, member oof the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad play Taps during the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) commemoration ceremony Wednesday at the Aquatotium in Monongahela.
On the battlefield, a band is formed like no other, said the Rev. Ken Kirby. They become kindred spirits, said the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Monongahela and a Vietnam veteran.
Kirby spoke during the Starkweather Circle Ladies Grand Army of the Republic’s annual memorial service Wednesday evening at the Noble J. Dick Aquatorium in Monongahela.
The service commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Grand Army of the Republic Starkweather Post 60 in Monongahela and Samuel Black Post No. 59 McKeesport.
The Ladies Starkweather Circle was formed in 1911.
The Starkweather Post was named for Gen. John C. Starkweather, commander of the 79th Pennsylvania Volunteers, under whom many Starkweather Post members served.
The 79th Pennsylvania participated in Gen. Sherman’s march to the sea.
Among the first posts to form, the Starkweather Post is one of three still active statewide.
Providing the invocation and speaking on behalf of her aunt, Starkweather Circle ladies G.A.R. chaplain Amy Brown, the Rev. Janice L. Holmes read from a letter written by her cousin, P.F. Enty on July 2, 1864.
The Templetan, Pa., resident was in a trench outside Petersburg. Enty said in the letter the Union soldiers expected hard fighting within days, adding that men were killed and wounded every day by snipers.
“I think about this letter,” Holmes said. “We wouldn’t be able to stand here and breathe the air without the sacrifices of these men.”
Kirby read from “The Warriors Code of Honor” by Paul Allen, a combat veteran.
“In war, it is understood that you give your word of honor to do your duty to stand and fight instead of running away and deserting your friends,” Allen wrote. “When you keep your word despite desperately desiring to flee the screaming hell all around, you earn honor.
“Earning honor under fire changes who you are. The blast-furnace of battle burns away impurities encrusting your soul. The white-hot forge of combat hammers you into a purified, hardened warrior willing to die rather than break your word to friends — your honor.”
Allen wrote that combat is “scary, but exciting.”
“You never feel so alive as when being shot at without result,” Allen wrote. “You never feel so triumphant as when shooting back — with result. You never feel love so pure as that burned into your heart by friends willing to die to keep their word to you.
“And they do.”
Allen wrote that “the biggest sadness of your life is to see friends falling. The biggest surprise of your life is to survive the war.”
“You never speak of your world. Those who have seen combat do not talk about it,” Allen wrote. “Those who talk about it have not seen combat.”
Combat veterans struggle to adapt to the civilian world, he said.
“You did your duty, survived the dance, and returned home. But not all of you came back to the civilian world,” Allen wrote. “Your heart and mind are still in the warrior’s world, as far away from the civilian world as Mars. They will always be in the Warrior’s World. They will never leave, they are buried there. In that far off hallowed home of honor, life is about keeping your word.”
He said the only time combat veterans do not feel alone is when with another combat veteran.
“Only he understands that keeping your word, your honor, whilst standing face to face with Death gives meaning and purpose to life,” Allen wrote.
Kirby said serenity is only found for combat veterans in a lot of prayer.
“You are a warrior, a man of your word and worthy of respect.”
Following Kirby’s remarks, The Mon Yough Chorale sang, “Blessed be the Tie.”
Mon Valley Honor Guard & Firing Squad provided a military salute and “Taps.” then the floral tribute, placing flowers upon the Monongahela River, was performed. It followed the tradition began by Donora native and Naval Chaplain, Rev. Richard Dietrich.